CRSwNP, Driven Primarily by Type 2 Inflammation,
Affects Patients’ Quality of Life1
Patients with CRSwNP experience a high symptom burden and reduced quality of life (QoL)1,3
Sleep
- Difficulty falling
asleep - Wake up at night
- Lack of a good
night’s sleep
Function
- Wake up tired
- Fatigue
- Reduced
productivity - Reduced
concentration
Ear/Facial
- Ear fullness
- Dizziness
- Ear pain
- Facial pain/
pressure
Emotional
- Frustrated/
restless/irritable - Sad
- Embarrassed
Nasal
- Need to blow nose
- Nasal blockage
- Sneezing
- Runny nose
- Cough
- Post-nasal discharge
- Thick nasal discharge
- Decreased sense of
smell/taste
CHRONIC TYPE 2 INFLAMMATION DRIVES A CYCLE OF RECURRENCE IN PATIENTS WITH CRSwNP2,3
have evidence of
type 2 inflammation10
SYMPTOMS2,7
- Loss of smell (early
sign of
recurrence)8,9 - Nasal congestion
INTERVENTIONS3,11
- Corticosteroid bursts
- Sinus surgery
DUPIXENT TARGETS TWO OF THE KEY DRIVERS OF TYPE 2
INFLAMMATION—IL-4 AND IL-13 SIGNALING12-14,a
LOCAL
INFLAMMATION
Physiological features12-14
- Mucus hypersecretion
- Epithelial barrier dysfunction
Associated clinical features
- Impaired olfactory function15
- Tissue remodeling16
- Polyp growth and recurrence6,17
SYSTEMIC
INFLAMMATION12-14
- Elevated IgE levels
- Elevated eosinophil levels
View the Science Behind the Unique Mechanism of Action of DUPIXENT12,a
DUPIXENT is the first and only FDA-approved dual inhibitor of IL‑4 and IL‑13 signaling.12,a The IL‑4 and IL‑13 cytokines induce inflammatory responses and cell signaling, contributing to12-14:
B cell class switching
and production of IgE
Mast cell activation
Epithelial barrier dysfunction, goblet cell
hyperplasia, and mucus hypersecretion
Eosinophil activation and
trafficking into tissues
Epithelial barrier dysfunction, goblet cell
hyperplasia, and mucus hypersecretion
aThe mechanism of dupilumab action has not been definitively established.12
See How DUPIXENT Works
DUPIXENT is indicated as an add-on maintenance treatment in adult and pediatric patients aged 12 years and older with inadequately controlled chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, or CRS with NP.
CRS with NP is predominantly characterized by type 2 inflammation of the nose and paranasal sinuses and is frequently associated with comorbidities.
IL-4 and IL-13 are type 2 cytokines that play key roles in CRS with NP, including Th2 cell differentiation, eosinophil tracking, and B-Cell switching to IgE release.
DUPIXENT is the first and only dual inhibitor of IL-4 and IL-13 signaling addressing type 2 inflammation that contributes to CRS with NP. The mechanism of dupilumab action has not been definitively established.
In the inflammatory process, IL-4 binds to the IL-4 receptor alpha subunit at the type 1 receptor, and IL-13 binds to the IL-13 receptor alpha 1 subunit at the type 2 receptor. Il-4 can also bind to the IL-4 receptor alpha subunit at the type 2 receptor, and each interaction transmits its own signal downstream. DUPIXENT binds to IL-4 receptor alpha subunit, blocking IL-4 and IL-13 intracellular signaling. This results in reduced expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, ultimately leading to decreased total and specific IgE. In addition, there is an impact on eosinophil activation and trafficking, along with other mechanisms that decrease type 2 inflammation. DUPIXENT is the first and only dual inhibitor of IL-4 and IL-13 signaling, two cytokines that contribute to underlying type 2 inflammation in CRS with NP.
Important Safety
Information and Indication
CONTRAINDICATION: DUPIXENT is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to dupilumab or any of its excipients.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Hypersensitivity: Hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, serum sickness or serum sickness-like reactions, angioedema, generalized urticaria, rash, erythema nodosum, and erythema multiforme have been reported. If a clinically significant hypersensitivity reaction occurs, institute appropriate therapy and discontinue DUPIXENT.
Conjunctivitis and Keratitis: Conjunctivitis occurred more frequently in subjects with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps who received DUPIXENT compared to those who received placebo. There were no cases of keratitis reported in the CRS with NP development program. Conjunctivitis and keratitis have been reported with DUPIXENT in post-marketing settings, with some patients reporting visual disturbances (for example, blurred vision). Advise patients or their caregivers to report new onset or worsening eye symptoms to their healthcare provider. Consider ophthalmological examination for patients who develop conjunctivitis that does not resolve following standard treatment or signs and symptoms suggestive of keratitis, as appropriate.
Eosinophilic Conditions: Patients being treated for asthma may present with serious systemic eosinophilia sometimes presenting with clinical features of eosinophilic pneumonia or vasculitis consistent with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), conditions which are often treated with systemic corticosteroid therapy. These events may be associated with the reduction of oral corticosteroid therapy. Healthcare providers should be alert to vasculitic rash, worsening pulmonary symptoms, cardiac complications, and/or neuropathy presenting in their patients with eosinophilia. Cases of eosinophilic pneumonia were reported in adult patients who participated in the asthma development program and cases of vasculitis consistent with EGPA have been reported with DUPIXENT in adult patients who participated in the asthma development program as well as in adult patients with co-morbid asthma in the CRS with NP development program. A causal association between DUPIXENT and these conditions has not been established.
Risk Associated with Abrupt Reduction of Corticosteroid Dosage: Do not discontinue systemic, topical, or inhaled corticosteroids abruptly upon initiation of DUPIXENT. Reductions in corticosteroid dose, if appropriate, should be gradual and performed under the direct supervision of a healthcare provider. Reduction in corticosteroid dose may be associated with systemic withdrawal symptoms and/or unmask conditions previously suppressed by systemic corticosteroid therapy.
Patients with Co-morbid Asthma: Advise patients with co-morbid asthma not to adjust or stop their asthma treatments without consultation with their physicians.
Arthralgia: Arthralgia has been reported with use of DUPIXENT with some patients reporting gait disturbances or decreased mobility associated with joint symptoms; some cases resulted in hospitalization. Advise patients to report new onset or worsening joint symptoms. If the symptoms persist or worsen, consider rheumatological evaluation and/or discontinuation of DUPIXENT.
Parasitic (Helminth) Infections: It is unknown if DUPIXENT will influence the immune response against helminth infections. Treat patients with pre-existing helminth infections before initiating therapy with DUPIXENT. If patients become infected while receiving treatment with DUPIXENT and do not respond to anti-helminth treatment, discontinue treatment with DUPIXENT until the infection resolves.
Vaccinations: Consider completing all age-appropriate vaccinations as recommended by current immunization guidelines prior to initiating DUPIXENT. Avoid use of live vaccines during treatment with DUPIXENT.
ADVERSE REACTIONS: The most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥ 1%) in patients with CRS with NP are injection site reactions, eosinophilia, insomnia, toothache, gastritis, arthralgia, and conjunctivitis.
USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS
- Pregnancy: A pregnancy exposure registry monitors pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to DUPIXENT during pregnancy. To enroll or obtain information call 1-877-311-8972 or go to https://mothertobaby.org/ongoing-study/dupixent/. Available data from case reports and case series with DUPIXENT use in pregnant women have not identified a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. Human IgG antibodies are known to cross the placental barrier; therefore, DUPIXENT may be transmitted from the mother to the developing fetus.
- Lactation: There are no data on the presence of DUPIXENT in human milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects on milk production. Maternal IgG is known to be present in human milk. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for DUPIXENT and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed child from DUPIXENT or from the underlying maternal condition.
Please see accompanying full Prescribing Information.
Indication
DUPIXENT is indicated as an add-on maintenance treatment in adult and pediatric patients aged 12 years and older with inadequately controlled chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRS with NP).
FDA, US Food and Drug Administration; MOA, mechanism of action; MOD, mechanism of disease.
Eligible CRSwNP Patients